The InterX group today edged closer to offloading its distribution business, Ideal Hardware. At today's extraordinary general meeting, company chairman Richard Jewson confirmed InterX had "entered a period of exclusivity with a potential purchaser". "In the Circular [dated 10 March] I also indicated to shareholders that we expected to be in advanced negotiations with a purchaser for Ideal Hardware plc, our IT distribution business, by the time of today's Extraordinary General meeting," he said. No expected time was given for the deal to be completed. "I hope to be able to report further progress in due course," said Jewson. Speculation is mounting as to who this mystery buyer could be. This week's Computer Reseller News tipped California-based Bell Microproducts as the likely candidate, saying the components and storage distributor was planning European expansion. This deal would give Ideal a listing on Nasdaq. Meanwhile, InterX said tomorrow's expected listing of its new ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange would mean it had raised £54 million. InterX's shares jumped 87.5 pence to 1750 pence today. ® Related Stories InterX shares rocket, buys PharmWeb InterX distie arm still for sale